Masood Khan

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Masood Khan
مسعود خان
Khan at the UN in New York on Jan 30, 2015.
President of Azad Kashmir
In office
25 August 2016 – 25 August 2021
Prime MinisterRaja Farooq Haider
Abdul Qayyum Khan Niazi
Preceded bySardar Muhammad Yaqoob Khan
Succeeded bySultan Mehmood Chaudhry
Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the United Nations
In office
11 October 2012 – 7 February 2015
PresidentAsif Ali Zardari
Mamnoon Hussain
Prime MinisterRaja Pervaiz Ashraf
Nawaz Sharif
Preceded byHussain Haroon
Succeeded byMaleeha Lodhi
Pakistani Ambassador to China
In office
September 2008 – September 2012
Appointed byYousaf Raza Gillani
Personal details
BornRawalakot, Poonch District, Azad Kashmir

Masood Khan (Urdu: مسعود خان) is a Pakistani-Kashmiri diplomat who is currently serving as Pakistan's Ambassador to the United States.[1] Khan also served as the 27th President of Azad Kashmir.[2] Khan joined the Foreign Service of Pakistan in 1980. From August 2003 to March 2005, he served as the Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Pakistan’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations and International Organisations in Geneva, Switzerland, from 2005 to 2008, Pakistan's Ambassador to China between September 2008 and September 2012 and as Pakistan's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, New York, between October 11, 2012 and February 7, 2015.[3][4]

He served as the Director General of Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad between February 2015 and August 4, 2016.[5]

Early life and diplomatic career[edit]

Khan was born in Rawalakot, Poonch District of Azad Kashmir to Sudhan family. When he was in his twenties, he worked as a TV newscaster in English.[6]

Khan holds a master's degree in English and joined the Foreign Service of Pakistan in 1980.[3] His foreign assignments include: Third Secretary in Beijing (1984–1986),[3] Second Secretary and First Secretary at The Hague (1986–1989)[3] and Counselor at United Nations New York (1993–1997) and Political Counselor in Washington, D.C. (1997–2002).[3][5]

His assignments at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs include: section officer for Europe, Iran and South Asian countries (1980–1982), director for Economic Cooperation Organization, Overseas Pakistanis and International Conferences (1990–1991), director for Secretary General's office (1991–1992), director-general for East Asia and Pacific (2002–2003), director-general for United Nations and Organisation of the Islamic Conference (2003–2004) and spokesman for Pakistan Foreign Office (2003–2005). Masood Khan retired as a career diplomat in 2015.

Ambassadorial career[edit]

Masood Khan was appointed as Pakistan's permanent representative to United Nations Office at Geneva in March 2005.[3] During this time, he stayed as chairman for many forums including International Organization for Migration Council, Group of 77 at Geneva, Government Group of International Labour Organization (ILO), Conference on Disarmament and Organisation of the Islamic Conference at Geneva. He also served as the President for the Sixth Review Conference of the Biological Toxins and Weapons Convention.[7]

In September 2008, Masood Khan was appointed as Pakistan's Ambassador to People's Republic of China replacing Salman Bashir who proceeded as Foreign Secretary at Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

In October 2012, he was appointed as Pakistan's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, New York.[6]

In 2022, Khan started serving as Pakistan's Ambassador to the United States.[8]

Political views[edit]

Support for Kashmiri separatism[edit]

Masood Khan has shown support for Kashmiri separatism, including calling Burhan Wani, an influential slain Islamist militant, a "hero."[9]

Writings[edit]

Masood Khan's publications include the article "Balancing Geo-economics with Geo-politics" as part of Pakistan's first National Securoty Policy release, where he calls for regional economic integration as well potential peace with India.[9]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Masood Khan to be appointed as Pakistan's ambassador to US". Daily Times. 4 November 2021. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
  2. ^ Naqash, Tariq (16 August 2016). "PML-N's Masood Khan elected AJK president". Dawn (newspaper). Retrieved 13 November 2018.
  3. ^ a b c d e f Masood Khan Pakistan envoy to China The Nation (newspaper), Published 13 September 2008, Retrieved 13 November 2018
  4. ^ He had also served as the President of the UN General Assembly during his tenure as Pakistan's Permanent Representative to the UN."Meet the man who will save the internet" The Register, 14 November 2005, Retrieved 13 November 2018
  5. ^ a b "PM picks ex-diplomat for AJK president slot". The Express Tribune (newspaper). 4 August 2016. Retrieved 13 November 2018.
  6. ^ a b Masood Khan elected as President of AJK The Nation (newspaper), Published 16 August 2016, Retrieved 13 November 2018
  7. ^ "Interview With Amb. Masood Khan of Pakistan President-Designate of the Sixth Biological Weapons Convention Review Conference | Arms Control Association". www.armscontrol.org. Retrieved 3 February 2022.
  8. ^ "US issues agrément for Masood Khan to take charge as Pakistani envoy in Washington". Geo News. 5 February 2022.
  9. ^ a b Subramanian, Nirupama (1 February 2022). "Explained: Who is Masood Khan, Pakistan's ambassador-designate to the United States?". The Indian Express. Retrieved 4 April 2024.